Frame straightener



Dec. 2o, 1938. C, C. BENNETT 2,140,686

FRAME STRAIGHTENER Dec. 20, 1938. Q Q BENNETT 2,140,686

FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed April 16, 1934 '7 sheetf-sheg; 42.

3mm/m CiauaeC ennez Dec. 20, 1938..

c:` c. BENNETT 2,140,686

FRAM STRAIGHTENER Filed April 16, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet '3 Cidade Cemel Devc. 20, 1938. c. c. BENNETT FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed April 16, 1934 '7 Sheets-Sheet '4 De.2o,193s. i C. C, BENNETT 24,140,686

FRAME STRAIGHTENER Fil'ed Aprib l`6, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet l WMM Je laude C5@ n# DeZO, 1938. c. c. BENNETT 2,140,686

FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed April 16, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 @MW am i Dec. 20, 1938. A c. c. BENNETT l 2,140,686

FRAME STRAIGHTENER Filed April 1e, 1954 7 sheetsisheet 15T-Lgf? IQ y I .fm o

` un umm nml C'Iazzae Cennezl" WVM Patented Dec. 20, 1938 PATENT-OFFICE FRAME STRAIGHTENER A*Claude C. Bennett, Seattle, Wash., asslgnor to A. E. Feragemlnc., Seattle, Wash., a corporation of Was n Application April 1s, 1934, serial Np. 120,752

- 21 claims. (ci. 15s-s2) My invention relates to frame straighteners for use in correcting any distortion of the frame of an automobile, such as may be suffered in an accident. y

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame straightener by which such distortions can be corrected and the frame restored to its original shape and angular relationship oi the several parts, usually withoutr` removal of the body, and whereby the various operations necessary to this end may be conveniently, eiectively, and quickly performed.

Particularly is it an object to provide a frame straightener wherein the workman operating upon the car has the maximum of free space within which to move about and perform the necessary adjustments' and operations.

It is a further object to provide a frame straightener having associated with it means for checking orgauging the distortion, and for determining when the corrective measures have progressed far enough, which gauging devices Y may be employed during the time that the corrective measures are progressing, and with the operating tools in place. Y

. It is a further object to provide a frame straightener capable of the maximum of flexibility to the end that general or localized corrective measures may be applied to the frame as a whole, or to any portion thereof which needs correction.

It is also an object to provide a frame straightener whereby the corners of the frame may be engaged and these corners pulled or pushed, as may be necessary,in a horizontal plane, to cor,- rect any distortion in this plane, in the angular relationship of the parts thereof.

It is also an object to provide a frame straightener wherein the several parts which must in operation project above the level of the supporting frame may be thrown down or be otherwise quickly and easily moved outl of the way to enable the car to be run`onto` the frame straightener, or as conveniently be replaced.

It is also an object to eliminate runways and tracks, in so far as possible, which will obstruct easy access to the space beneath the car, and to make such runways as are necessary removable, so that the car may be run onto the frame f straightener, and by its action cause separation of the members which are intended to support the front and rear wheels, respectively.- these being closely adjacent to receive the car.

Another object is to provide means whereby hydraulic jacks may be applied to the frame, especially to the corners thereof, and .to provide additional means whereby movement in excess of the reasonable stroke of such h'ydraulic jacks may be effected without removing the hydraulic jacks, leaving to the latter the task of accomplishing the flnal small. changes.

It is a. further object'to provide means incorporated in such a straightener for shifting the car wheels transversely to position them properly with respect to the operating devices, when necessary, and particularly with respect to the 10 gauging devices, and further, to give eiect, without dragging of the wheels, to transverse bending movements effected by the operating tools.

It is also an object to provide a frame straightener wherein all adjustments or gauging, and all 15 operations other than bending or twisting the central parts of the car frame can be accomplislied by a workman standing alongside of the straightener, rather than underneath the car.

It is a further object to devise improved oper- 20 ating tools for use in connection with such a framestraightener for application to the frame parts toaccomplish all necessary pulling,l pushing, twisting, and bending operations, and to provide means which may be applied to the axles, 25 while the car is supported on the frame straightener, to accomplish like operations upon the axles.

Other objects, and especially such as relate to mechanical details and to the working tools 30 themselves, will be observed as this speciilcation progresses.

My invention comprises the novel frame straightener, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as will be hereinafterv disclosed 35 and defined, and the novel operating tools, gauge means and accessories, all as will appear hereafter.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my device embodied in a preferred form, and with 40- is being run upon the frame straightener, except as certain gauging parts are shown in the positions they would assume during gauging.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the complete frame straightener, shown with parts in position 50 to accomplish an upward bending operation upon the central part of the frame.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the frame straightener, corresponding generally to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the 55 straightener, with parts broken away, showing the devicein the position t o receive a car.

Figure 6 is an end elevation of one side of the frame straightener, showing a twisting' operation up'on thechannel frame of the car, andFigure 'I is a .transverse sectional view illustrating asimilar operation, with altemative operating tools.

Figure 8 is a transverse section through one of the tables, illustrating the manner in which the wheels may be shifted transversely of the device as a whole. y

Figure 9 is a longitudinal fragmentary sectio on the line 9-,9 of Figure 6.

re 10 is a plan view, with parts broken away, illustrating the manner in which the gauging vice may be4 used, and Figure 11 is an elevation of the same device, while Figln'e 12 is a transverse section of the same. v

Figure 13 is a detail planview of the scale which may be employed in connection with thegauging operation. V Figure 14 isa side' elevation of a modied corner post arrangement, showing the device set up for pulling or resisting at one corner of the car frame.

Figure 15 is a longitudinal section, corresponding generally to Figure 14, showing parts set u'p for a pushing operation at one corner of the car frame.

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional viewalong the line I6-I6 of Figure 14.

Figure 17 is'a transverse -sectional view through one of the reaction members, illustrating the operation of pulling'down on the frame, and Figure '18 is a transverse sectional view through the same, substantiallyon the line ll-II- of Fig-f ure '17.

Cars which have been in'collisions frequently have the frame distorted in one way or another.

If one of the front corner-s1 of the car has struck another object, this cornermay be pushed back, so that thefront axle, and usually also the vrearat the point of impact, and may also be twistedf In striking` another object, head on, or being struck from the rear, the frame maybuckle up or down at an intermediate point. Such distortion should be removedfrom the frame by bending or twisting it back to its original position and relationship to the other However, in bending the frame .parts back to their original positions care should be taken that the frame is not otherwise distorted, for' ease'in steering, tire wear, and the general strength and safety of the automobile is dependent upon all parts being n.

their proper relationship. Furthermore, because of the cost and time consumed in removing a body, which may not have been injured itself or which may have been injured only so slightly'as to require minor repairs, n ot necessitating re- `moval, it ispreferable that the frame of the car lie-straightened without removing the body, and there is another consideration which makes this highly desirable in that the body bolts of the body and chassis must pass through holes that are normally aligned, butthe alignment of which may be destroyed if the chassis is straightened with the bodyremoved. If theis re-` support.

` not only will not properly nt the'chassis, but

doors' will have a tendency to stick orv rattle,

-whereas if the body is left in place it, too, will be restored to proper shape by restoration of the frame. Thus while my drawings show no body on the chassis which is being operated upon, this is only for better illustration, it being preferred that the body be left in place upon the car frame, though the operations will sometimes be facilitated by removal of running boards and aprons, and these generally need to be removed to be straightened or replaced.

In effect my frame straightener comprises two frame membersi which may consist of heavy I- beams spaced apart an amount approximately equal to the spacing between the Awheels at opposite sides of an automobile. To give the greatest freedom of movement to the workman who mustmove about under the car I prefer that these be not connected across, but that they be anchored to the iioor and supported thereabove by means such as the feet I Il. These feet are shown as generally of I-beam section, though any suitable form may be employed, and are so placed as to resistexure both transversely and longi-V tudinally of the frame members I which they These frame members I, -being placed parallel to each other, may serve as rails upon which are mounted carriages generally designated by l the numerals 2 and 20. These carriages-are in effect tables, the table 2 being intended to receive the front wheels F of a car, and the rearv table 20 receives the rear wheelsvR, although the car Amay be placed on the straightener in the rea second chock 23 which can be positioned in the rear of the wheel, and which is pivoted at 24 so Athat it can be swung aside to permita wheel to roll onto the table, but can be swung in behind the wheel after it rests upon the table. It is not verse position, yet for ease in running it onto the necessary that there be similar ct/iocks on the rear table 20, although these may be provided if desired. Each of these tables is preferably provided with a depending hookfzi which extends beneath the lower edge of -the flange of the frame member I to prevent it beingl displaced or thrown from the track, or lifted by an upwardly-acting force, and each is preferably provided also with a locking screw 26, by means of which`it can be clamped in position see Figure 8).

For working upon the frame, andfor supportl ing tools which operate thereon, I provide one or. more, preferably three, reaction members 3. These consist generally of bars extending across from one frame member I to the other, but loose'- ly resting on top of the same, so that they can be shifted to any point desired, or can be' removed at will. However, it is necessary to provide them with hooks 30 corresponding to the hooks25 to resist an upwardly acting force,- puliing down on the car frame, and they also pre-A vent accidental lifting or removal of the members 3. 'Ihe latter are of substantially the same height as the tables 2 and 20, as will be seen best in Figure 1, and would normally be interposed between the two tables.

Since the frame straightener will ordinarily be installed elevated above the oo'r it'is necessary to provide a ramp 4 or similar runway means, whereby the car may be run up onto the straightener, but forcgnserving floor space and to pro- 10 vide freer movement from one side to the other cf the straightener I prefer that these ramps be removable, and have therefore shown the ramp 4 as provided with hooks 40 which may be engaged kwith an .upstanding member 8 resting upon the 15 frame member (which member 8 has a further function as will appear hereafter), and I- prefer also to provide a bridge member 4I which extends from this member 8 -to the table 2U, this bridge member 4I forming part of the runway, being $0 provided with hooks 42 at each end to support it. Thus the runway member 4I is also removable, and only serves the purpose of carrying the car from the ramp 4 along the same level to thetop of the table 28.

When a car is to be run ontoS the straightener the table.2 is brought close to the table 20. Ifthe reaction members 3 are interposed between them they may be slid along until they are closely adjacent to each other and to the two tables. A 80 car may now be run up the ramp 4, across the bridge 4I, and onto the table 20, and then over the reaction members 3 onto the table 2, where its front wheels engage the chocks 22. If the caris mounting under its own power the rear 35 Wheel on the ramp will push the front wheels forward, carrying along the forwardptable 2, and separating this table from the reaction members and from the reartable 20. The car continues to move forward until the rear wheels R come to 40 rest on the table 28, and the car isthen properly positioned for any operation, although it may be shifted longitudinally by freeing the locking screws 26 and shifting the tables lengthwise of the frame members I. If the ca-cannot,operate un 85 der its own power, a winch (not'shown) can be mounted on a strongback bar I8, at the forward end of the framestraightener (as will be described later), to pull the c ar up. It may be desirable to shift the car, especially 50 the front wheels, laterally after it is on the frame straightener, and to this end I provide`carriages 5 (see Figure 8) which may be located to receive the opposite wheels of a pair, and to move transversely of the straighteneras a whole within a 55 central slot 21 of the table 2. It may be mounted ,upyon rollers 58, and may carry a nut 5I in which i is threaded a screw 53 swiveled at 52 in the'outer end of the table 2, so that by turning the screw the carriage 5 may be moved transversely. It is not essential that both the carriages be screwcontrolled; in fact it is preferable that only one beso movable, for the other will follow freely any .movmentofl the screw-controlled carriage. While I have not shown such carriages in associanon with the rear table zo. it is obvious that they might be employed here as well, but transverse shifting 0f one end of the carwill usually be suflicient for the main purpose, which is to align it with certain gauging devices to be explained 70 hereafter.

-We may assume that a car has been run onto the frame straightener in the manner heretofore described, and that the carfhas been in a collision whichwould tend to make the frame dia-k 75 mond-shaped, that is, pushed back at one front corner. It may be desired flrst to ascertain .if

this` is the fact and by what amount. Accordingly gauge means are provided to assist in determining this. As may be seen generally in Figures 1 and 2, an` upright post 6 is removably mounted upon the frame member I, and is slidable therealong, but can besecured in position such that it is exactly perpendicular. As may best be seen in Figures 10,-11 and 12',\thispost is mounted in a member 6I having a pivotal movement at 60 along a longitudinal horizontal axis, and is adjustable about its axis 60 by means of the thumb screw 62. The mounting for this post -is secured upon a slide 63 which is mounted upon the frame member I, and which can be secured in any position by the clamp 64. A spring 64', bearing upon the member I, permits adjustmentby the clamp 64 to correct any deviation of the post 6 from perpendicular in a longitudinal plane. Suitable level or bubble tubes 65 indicate when the post 6 is exactly perpendicular', and a gauge nger 66' cooperates with a scale I2 secured to the frame member I. This scalev is adjustable longitudinally so that the readings on the two sides of the flame straightener willcoincde; see Figure 13.

Upon the post 6 is clamped a bracket arm 61, and a rstraightedge 68 may rest in the bracket 61 of the two posts at opposite sides of the frame straightener, and across these may be laid straightedges 69 which extend alongside `of the car, or these may be reversed, the straightedges 69 supporting the straightedges 68. These are eachvbrought close to the post r(i, or by the use of scales thereon are brought into such relationship with the car that they form a true rectangle, with the member 69'parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car. Now measurements may be made from. the elements of this rectangle to appropriate parts of the car frame. as indicated 'by the rules A and B (see Figure l0, for example). The index finger 66'cooperating with the scale I2 will make certain that the posts 6 at opposite sides are placed the same distance from the ends of the straightener, and thus will assure that the angles formed by the straightedges 68 and 69 45 are true right angles. Now if measurements with the rules A and B show a departure of the car frame members from their proper positions, cor- Vrective measures may beemployed, as indicated4 by these measurements or by observation.

We may assume that the measurements have shown that the frame is somewhat diamondshaped, and it is to be pulledA back to proper angular relationship of the parts. Corner posts are provided at the four corners of the straightener,

n those at the forward end being-generally upright and indi ated at 1. They may be mount d upon a slide 1 whereby they may be moved ongitudinally of the frame members I, and clamped inl position when desired by a clamping screw 12, or-they may be left free to slide, and sliding movement mayhbe eiected by mounting a hydraulic jack J between aiknee 13, slidable 4along and `clamped upon the frame member I, and the forward point 1I of the slide 11| The corner posts at the rear end ofthe frame straightener may be identical with those described, but to distinguishv 'them from the forward corner' posts 1 they have been designated by the numeral 18, and preferably are hingedlys mounted at 14 so that they can be thrown down` out of the path of a; car being `run upon or run oil' of the frame straightener. This is best illustrated in-Figure 6. Such corner posts serve as the means of supporting the aforementioned strongback bar I8 (see Figure 2) on 75 a level with the corners. of the Acar frame. l rIfhus these strongbacks may be secured upon a bolt I slidable vertically of the corner post 10, and

from these strongback bar s rods SII extend, either. to directly engage the' horns of the car frame at the corners thereof, or through .the .intermediary o'f cables or links'tl to engage -these horns.- A j.

pulling Aaction may b e accomplished now by drawing up the nuts 92 on the rods 80, or preferably by operation of the jack J. ordinarily the diagonally opposite corners would be pulled, and the other corners would merely be held stationary.

If a horn is b ent, a pull may be exerted in similar manner on this horn, resisting the pull at the other end of .the car at the same side, or by holding or pushing the same end of the car'. at the opposite side.. By' heatingthe bent horn, while thus stressed, Aii; may readily be' restred to iis proper position.

In Figure 14 I have'illustrated an alternative form of corner post 'and mounting therefor. Instead of the corner post being slidable direct-- ly upon the frame member I, it is mounted upon wheels I6 guided for movement longitudinally oi the frame member in.an auxiliary frameT'I. The lcorner post is movable relative to this auxiliary frame 'IT by a' screw 'I3A threaded in a nut 19 in.

the auxiliary frame. y. The pulling movement may be eiected' by rotation' of the screw 13. If it'is desired to push on a corner of the frame, a jack J may be inserted between the corner of the car frame and the strongback bar 3, as seen in Figure 15, and the greater part' of -the movement. be effected by operation of the screw 18, leaving to the jack J the accomplishment of the nal move- -ment. This may be preferable in some cases because 4the movement required to return 'the frame to proper position may be somewhat in excess of the` normal stroke of the jack' J, and the greater amount of this movementmay be accomplished by the screw 18and the jack may movedonly a short distance as compared tothe whole movement necessary. The auxiliary frame 'I'I will 'be suitably anchored in any given posi- .tion by `projection of apin 'I1' through suitable holes provided in the frame'memb'er I, and it mayv be held from rising by a suitablehook 16'.

If it is. determined that the channel members of thecar frame or 4the cross bracing'members have been buckled, bent or twisted, use ismade of the'reaction members 3. These'may be formed, as shown, of spaced channels 3I'connected only at their ends-by blocks 32; In theY space thus formed areslidable ,two socketed slides 33 (see Figures 3, 4, 5,/7, and 17), the movement of which may be controlled bya screw threaded each in one of the blocks .32. These slides 33'may be supported merely by extension of a hanged portion 35 over the iianges`of the rails 3I, or they .may be suppoi'ted by rollers 35', as seen in Figure 18. I

'I'he sockets in these members 33 afford anchoring means for bars 36, as shown in Figures 'I-.and

'17, for example, through which hold-down pins 3B' may be passed, and to which a'variet'y of operating tools ma be secured. The reaction members 3 also servev as tables forthe support of tools or jacks, and hooks for pulling or holding-down may be engaged with their under sides, as shown in Figure 2, for example. In this case: the .hooks 30, referred to previously, will hold down the reaction-members 'againstthe lifting effort of the jack J The operating toolsemployed may be of various types. However, it'shouldbe remembered that audace .they should be easily removable or capable-of' 'freedom-of movement of' the worlmum'.

being dropped to a level wheretheywill not interfere' with the movement of a car onto or. off o f shown a jack`J engaginga downwardly 'buckled portion' of the car frame, with 'links-90 engaged -the frame straightener'. -In Figure 2 I have Y with the-car frame and with the reaction members 3, respectively, to resist the upwardthrust of the jack. In Figures 17 and 18 I have shown another type of tool -for effecting a downward pull on the frame, comprising a lever 9 pivoted in a frame 9 I, which rests upon the reaction. member .3, one end or it engaging a hook 92', and the other vend being'acted upon by ajack J, which 'likewise rests upon the reaction member 3.` The 'foot 9| .-isJanchoredin place by a-bar 3IiA secured to it by the pin 31.

' 1n Figures 6, 7 and 9 I'have 'shown mais fory effecting a twisting operation. A resisting tool '931s of angular shape, andis anchored, and preferably pivoted, upon a member 94 received in the reaction members 3, .preferably in a socket in the member 33. .Atwisting member 95 is similarly supported 'from the reaction member 3, and

has an arm 96 beneath which maybe engaged a jack J resting upon'tlre member 3.v These mem bers 93 .and 95 would ordinarily be spaced along the car frame, two holding members engaging 1t at one side, and an active bendingmember en'- I ga'ging it at the opposite side. Y This is best shown in.-Figure 9,.where, however, the tools are shown mounted upon the table 20, secured by clamps 99.`

The arrangement shown in Fi'gurex'l is similar,' save that removable bars 9`I are-received in clevises 98 pivotally mounted upon the. respective members 93 and 95, so that by the use of longer 'orshoxjterbars the device maybe adjusted for I cars whose frame is'higher or lower -than can -be conveniently reached by standard-height 4niembers such as are shown in Figure 6.

Occasionally it will-be' found convenient to caff-while" the c'ar is-'supported upon the frame straightener, and to this end I have provided in the forward table 2 a slot 21 and supplemental slots' za, within wmchmay be engaged suitable axle setting devices.

straighten theaxle, especially the fr ont axle of a tive bendingforces maybe-supported upon the surfaceof the table'2, and hold-down bars may members 3 are positioned 'forpeilorming a givexr operation. These latter, however, areloose and -are freely movable by sliding them back andforth along the frame members I, and being loose they can be-set somewhat at an 'angle as seen'inFig- All parts which-would obstructv the movement of Aure 3, and their spacing can be varied readily Y may suit the requirements of the given operation.

alcar onto or .fromthe' frame straightener are.

i readily removable and readily setup again. The, parts of the car upon which the'operations are to beperformed are thus freely accessible bythe workman and-tothe to'ols which he will'employ, and for purposesof gauging.. 4". ll'he device 'con-1 serves oo'r' space -iri "that the ramps laieremovable, and this further assists accessibility and a,14o,ese

y What I claim as my invention is: v

1. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members, means thereon disposed ltween the reaction members and the car frameV to apply abending force to the car frame.

2. A frame straightener comprising a pair o! spaced frame members, a table mounted thereon and movable therealong while supporting thev front wheels of a car, means likewise mounted upon the frame members, for supporting the rear wheels of the car, transverse reaction 'members loosely supported upon the frame members, and means extending between the reaction members and the car frame to apply a bending force to the car frame. Y

3. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members adapted to support a car disposed longitudinally thereof, transverse reaction members disposed above and loosely resting upon the frame members, and cooperating means extending between any given reaction member and the car frame at spacedl points, to apply a twisting force to the car fram 4'. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members adapted to support acar A disposed longitudinally thereof, transverse reaction members supported upon the frame members, a socketed member movable lengthwise oi' each reaction member, a screw jack for eiecting such movement, and posts upstandingly received in such sockets and adapted to bear against the sides of the car frame.

5. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members adapted to support a car disposed. longitudinally thereof, transverse reaction members supported upon the frame members, 'a socketed member movable lengthwiseof each reaction member, power means for effecting such movement, and tool means engaged in said sockets and operatively engaged with the car frame to alter it. 1 V

6. A frame straightener and gauge comprising a pair of spaced frame members, a transverse table supported thereon, a carriage at eaclr'side of and supported upon said table and 'mvable lengthwise thereof, or transversely lof tire frame members, to support the respectively opposite wheels of a pair upon the car, means to effectA movement of the carriages, means to `define a Arectangle surrounding the car thus supported, and means supported from the frame membersto\support a car thereon, disposed longitudinally a corner post disposed at each corner of the cai,

thus disposed, said corner posts being supported and braced from the beams, and means reacting 'from said corner posts t0 engage the respective' corners of the car frame, at will, to efIect arestorationthereof to its original angles.

9. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced beams constituting frame members, means to support a car thereon, disposed longitudinally, a corner post disposed at each corner of the car, thus disposed, said corner posts being supported and braced from the beams, and adjustable therealong, a' strongback bar extending between the two corner posts at each end of the frame, and means extending between the strongback bars and the respective corners of the car frame to apply a push or a pull to the corners, as required to restore the frame to its original angular relationship.

10. A frame straightener comprising a` pair of spaced beams constituting frame members, means to support a car thereon, disposed longitudinally, a corner post disposed at each corner of the car, thus disposed, said corner'posts being supported and braced from the beams, and adjustable therealong, means reacting from said corner posts to engage the respective corners of the car frame, at will, to eiect a restoration thereof to its original angles, and means to form a rectangle surrounding the car, from which to gauge the car frame during such restoration. y

1-1. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members, means to support a car thereon, disposed longitudinal1ya cornei post disposed at each corner of the car, thus disposed, saidy corner posts being supported and braced from the frame members, means reacting from said corner posts to engage the respective corners of the car frame, at will, to effect a restoration thereof to its original angles, and jack means to shift the corner posts longitudinally of the frame members.

12. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members, means to roll a car thereon, lengthwise, a corner post disposed at each corner of a car, thus supported, said corner posts being supported and braced from the frame.

members, means hingedly supporting Acertain of said corner posts, to permit passage of the car thereover, and means reacting from said corner posts to engage the respective corners of the car frame, at will,to eiIect a restoration thereof to its original angular relationship.-

13. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members, a table mounted thereon and/movable therealong while supporting the mediate the two tables to\ apply forces to thecarl Irame.

14. A frame straightener comprising a pair of spaced frame members, a. table mounted thereon vand movable therealong while supporting the front wheels oi' a car, a similar-'table similarly mounted andmovable to support the rear wheels of a. car, a wheel stop on the first table to engage the front wheels of the car, runway means guiding a car over the second table tothe flrst, and when the wheel stop means engages the front wheels, guiding the rear Wheels onto the second table, the rst table meanwhile movinbg along the versely of the frame members.\

15 A framestraightener compnsing a pair of spaced frame members, a table mounted \ereon and movable therealong while supportin e member and supported thereon for movement I wheels rest upon the' second table, means sup ported from the frame members at the. corners of front wheels of a car, a similartable similarly\\ he ear frame, and'engageablewith these. corners mounted and movable to support the rear wheels of a car, awheel stop on the rst table to engage the front wheels of the car, runway means guiding a car over the second table to the rst, and

when the wheel stop means engages the front wheels,- guiding the rear wheels onto the second table, the first table meanwhile moving along the .movement lonsitudinallyof the fra-me membersV frame members to space the two tables, tool means supported from the frame members intermediate the two tables to apply forces to the car 'fi-ame,

d gauge means supported fromthe frame members to form a rectangle about the car thus supported, j

whereby the departure of its members from origin al angular relationship can be determined, and Vmeans associated with 'the respective tables to shift the car wheels transversely of the frame members. i

16. A frame straightener comprising 'two spaced, unconnected, substantially parallel frame members, the space between them being free `of obstructions, a Vtable extending over each frame member and supported thereon for. movement longitudinally thereof, a second table similarly disposed, adjacent which-the nrst table may be placed to receive a car, runway means at one end of the framemembers guiding a car for to dispose the front wheels on the first table,

this table then advancing with the front wheels car frame.

17. A' frame straightener comprising two Y spaced, unconnected, substantially parallel frame members, the space btween them beingfree of obsnucticnaa table extending over each frame anchor the'car, transverse loose reaction members adapted to rest upon the two frame members intermediate the tables, and'tool means supportedfrom the reaction members to engageand ap'- Dly forces tothe frame. n

18. A frame tener comprising a. framework, a pair of tables 1 ately and independently mounted on said framework and movable with respect to said framework\while supporting the wheels of acar, and force-app ying members re- I acting between the framework a d a car thus supported to apply a bending force to the car frame'.

19. A frame straightener comprising a framework, a plurality of tables movable lengthwise of said framework while supporting a .car, transframework for movement lengthwise thereof, and

means extending between the reaction members car. frame.

f 21,.'A frame straightener for an automotive vehicle having a chassis frame, comprising a pair of spaced frame members, a plurality of vehicle the front wheels on the first table, this table then l 'advancing with the front wheels until the rear and the car frame to apply a bending force to the supporting-table members so mounted upon said 

